Container



June 26, 1962 M. w. KUCHENBECKER 3,040,951

CONTAINER Filed Sept. 25, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. Mfl/QALS' W A(If 16 01/55? A [A7 CONTAINER 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 25, 1960 une26, 1962 M. w. KUCHENBECKER 3,040,

CONTAINER Filed Sept. 23, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. MO/Q/Q/S W.KUCHZA/BHXM June 26, 1962 M. w. KUCHENBECKER 3,040,951

CONTAINER Filed Sept. 23. 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 L l \F 5% a 447 605 and44 1 1 5% ZZZ Z/ 2 42 2X i 54 United States Patent O 3,040,951 CONTAINERMorris W. Kuchenbecker, Neenah, Wis., assignor to American Can Company,New York, N.Y., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Sept. 23, 1960, Ser.No. 57,926 19 Claims. (Cl. 229-17 The present invention relates to aself-sustaining carton or container and a unitary blank therefor, forthe packaging and dispensing-therefrom of flowable products such asliquids, granulated substances and the like and has particular referenceto a top end closure which includes a conveniently available dispensingmeans or spout.

The present invention is particularly useful in connection with cartonshaving the characteristics of those described in co-pending applicationSerial No. 853,365 entitled Container.

The carton is readily formed from paperboard which can be treated toprovide liquid leakproofness, and may be made from a unitary blank ofsuch material, thus permitting the economy of manufacture required inthe competitive market developed through widespread use of this type ofcontainer for milk.

Prior container spouts constructed with side portions of diiferentsurface areas were movable through a nonsized and non-regulated openposition disposed between two closed positions. Movement of the spoutportions between one of the closed and the open position causedmutilation-like forces to be impressed on the corresponding portions onthe opposite sides of the spout. Additionally, the side portions wereinoperative to provide any locking action which would lock the spout ina sized and regulated open position and also prevent unwanted moving ofthe spout to any closed position.

Prior container spouts having only one closed position and one regulatedopen position were constructed with side portions capable of locking thespout in open position but failed to have the advantage of the sideportions being of diiferent areas for assisting in the movement of thespout from the one closed to the one open position.

One of the main objects of the present invention is to overcome theaforementioned deficiencies and to eliminate the problems encountered inthe prior containers and spouts.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a container with aspout which is movable from an open to a closed position by manipulatingspout side portions of different areas.

A further object is to provide a dispensing means or spout for acontainer with spout portions unlike or different areas operative tolock the dispensing means in an open position.

A further object of the invention is to provide a dis pensing spout withdissimiliar sets of side portions which when moved simultaneously at thesame speed and pressure move one of the opposite ends of aninterconnecting center portion forward ahead of the other of theopposite ends.

A further object of the invention is to provide a spout which may bemoved from a closed to a regulated open position which has a mouth of aregulated size 3,040,951 Patented June 26, 1962 ice free ofirregularities resulting from unwanted and unregulated deforming orcrushing spout side portions at locations other than at prescored lines.

Another object of the invention is to provide a top end closure for acarton which may be readily opened into a spout in which correspondingspout portions on opposite sides of the spout are defined at least inpart by unlike score lines.

A further object of the invention is to provide a blank with prescoredlines operative to assist the folding of the blank into a container andassist the spout portions in carrying out the advantages and featuresdescribed herein.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparentas it is better understood from the following description, which, takenin connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferredembodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a sealed container embodying theinstant invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a unitary blank from which the container inFIG. 1 is made, the view showing the outer face of the blank;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view of the container astaken substantially along a plane indicated by the lines 3--3 of FIG. 1,with parts broken away;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 44 of FIG.3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a partially formed container;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, the view showing the top end closurein partially formed condition;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 1, showing the cont ainer partiallyopened;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 showing the spout in open positionfor dispensing the container contents, and each of FIGURES 9 thru 16 isa partial plan view of a blank which may be formed into a containersimilar to that of FIG. 1 but with a spout of modified design.

As a preferred and exemplary embodiment of the instant invention, thedrawings illustrate a substantially rectangular container comprising abody 15, a bottom 16 and a top end closure 17 (FIG. 1) made from asingle paper board blank 21 (FIG. 2) of generally rectangularconfiguration. The container shown preferably is provided with a peak orgable shaped top end closure although the invention is equally welladapted to a flat top end closure if desired.

The blank 21 (FIG. 2) is suitably cut and scored or creased to divide itinto a number of walls, panels and tab portions. Four main side walls22, 23, 24, 25 are respectively separated from each other and hingedlyconnected together along crease lines 26, 27, 28. A glue flap 31 ishingedly connected along one side edge of wall 25 by a crease line 32.The flap 31 is divided. by crease lines 33, 34, 35 into glue flapportions 36, 37, 38, 39.

The bottom 16 for the container may be formed in any suitable manner. Byway of example, the drawing of the blank shows four bottom closure flaps41, 42, 43, 44 respectively connected to the container side walls 22,23, 24, 25 along crease lines 45, 46, 47, 48. The bottom closure flapsare separated by cut lines 51, 52, 53, 54.

The top end closure 17 for the container comprises a pair of outerclosure panels 56, 57 and a pair of inner closure panels 58, 59. Thesepanels are hingedly connected to the respective side walls 22, 23, 24,25 along hinge crease lines 61, 62, 63, 64 respectively. The innerclosure panel 59 is divided by crease lines 66, 67, 68, 69, 70 into atrapezoidal shaped section 71 hinged to the side Wall 25 along creaseline 64, a pair of triangular wing portions 72, 73 diagonally hinged tothe trapezoidal section 71 and hinged to the outer closure panel 57 andthe glue flap 38 respectively, and short and long tab portions 75, 76and a central tab portion 77 respectively hinged to the wing portions72, 73 and the trapezoidal section 71 along the respective crease lines68, 69, 70. The tab portions are separated by cut lines 78, 79 whichterminate short of the crease lines 68, 69 to provide for a pealing ofthe material at these points to act as a stuffing against leakage. Theshort tab 75 adjacent the central tab 77 is provided with a bevel corner81 and along its opposite edge is hinged to the outer closure panel 57.The long tab 76 is hingedly connected to the glue flap portion 39.

In a similar manner the inner closure panel 58 is divided by a pair ofdiagonal crease lines 83, 84 and a plurality of coextensive weakened ortear lines, preferably perforated lines 85, 86, 87 which extend fullyacross the inner closure panel 58 and continue into the two adjacentouter closure panels 56, 57 as shown in FIG. 2. The line 87 preferablyis a slit and the entire tear lines preferably are sealed againstleakage by a moisture proof paper liner. These crease lines and tearlines divide the inner closure panel 58 into a trapezoidal section 88hinged to the side wall 23 along crease line 63, a pair of triangularwing portions 91, 92 diagonally hinged to the trapezoidal section 88 andhinged to the adjacent outer closure panels 56, 57 respectively, andlong and short tab portions 93,

94 and a central tab portion 95 respectively hinged to the wing portions91, 92 and the trapezoidal section 88 along the respective coextensivetear lines 85, 86, 87. The tab portions are separated by cut lines 96,97 which terminates short of the tear lines 85, 86 to provide for apealing of the material at these points to act as a stutfing againstleakage. The short tab 94 adjacent the central tab 95 is provided with abeveled corner 98 and along its opposite edge is hinged to the outerclosure panel 57. The long tab 93 is hingedly connected to the outerclosure panel 56.

The side wall 23 and the trapezoidal section 88 hingedly connectedthereto are provided with crease lines 101, 102, 103 to permit flexingof this side wall and trapezoidal section as will be hereinafterexplained.

The outer closure panels 56, 57 are divided by diagonal crease or hingelines 105 and 105a respectively and substantially horizontal creaselines 106 into rhombo-rectangular, herein called rhomboidal sections 107and 107a respectively hinged to the respective side walls 22, 24 alongthe crease lines 61, 62, triangular wing portions 108 and 108arespectively diagonally hinged to the rhomboidal sections 107 and 107aand to the triangular wing sections 91, 92 of the adjacent inner closurepanel 58, and tab portions 111, 112 of the respective outer closurepanels 56, 57 hingedly connected to the rhomboidal sections 107 and 107aand triangular wing portions 108 and 10811 along the crease lines 106and the tear lines 85, 86. The crease lines 106 are coextensive with thetear lines 85 and 86 while the creased portions of hinge lines 105 and105a terminate just short of the tear lines 85, 86. Lines 83 and 84 areat an angle a to line 63. Line 105 is at an angle b to line 61. Line105a is at an angle 0 to line 62. Angle a is at least as large as angle11 and at least as large as angle c. Also angle b is at least as largeas angle 0. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, it is noted thatangle 12 is at least as large as and also larger than angle 0 and anglea is at least as large as and also larger than angle b whereby hingelines 105 and 105a are free from extending in a common plane while thecontainer is assembled. Thus, the diagonal hinge lines 105 and 105a,

which meet at the junction of lines 61, 83, 63, 26, and 63, 84, 62, 27respectively, are disposed at different angles to the line 106 therebydefining tear line portions of different lengths for the spout portions108 and 108a with the tear line portion on spout portion 108 being thelonger. Likewise the spout portions 108 and 108a have different surfaceareas at least one of which, and if desired both of which, is differentfrom the surface area of one of the spout or wing portions 91 and 92. Inthis embodiment, the surface area of portion 108a is less than that of108 and also less thanthat of 91 or 92 and surface area of spout portion108 is less than the surface area of spout portion 91 or 92.

The tab portion 111 extends the full width of the panel 56 and ishingedly connected at one end to the tab portion- 93. The length of thisshort tab 111 is substantially equal to the length of the short tabportions 75 and .94.

The tab portion 112 extends the full width of the panel 57 and ishingedly connected at its ends to the tab portions 75 and 94. The lengthof this long tab portion 112 is substantially equal to the long tabportions 76, 93 of the inner closure panels 59, 58 respectively.

In order to produce the container shown in FIG. 1, the blank 21 is firstfolded along the side wall crease lines 26, 27, 28, 32 to form therectangular body 11 as best shown in FIG. 5, the four side walls 22, 23,24, 25, being tied together by the glue flap 31 which is bondedby asuitable adhesive to the inner face of the side wall 22 along its freeedge. The four bottom flaps 41, 42, 43, 44 and the glue flap portion 36are then folded in theusual manner into overlapping positionperpendicular to the side walls, along their respective crease lines 45,46, 47, 48, 33 and are adhesively secured together to form the bottom 16of the container. This is a conventional bottom construction.

In this open top end condition, with the body 11 and the bottom 16 fullyformed, the resulting container is ready for filling if a non-liquidproduct is to be packed therein. For liquid products the open endcontainer is usually provided with a sheet liner or is immersed in orotherwise coated with molten wax or other liquid proofing substance torender the container leakproof.

The filled container is closed and sealed by positioning the outerclosure panels 56, 57 over the inner closure panels 58, 59 andoverlapping the various tabs in oppositely directed relation andadhesively bonding them together with a suitable adhesive to produce aflat multilayer, butt and lap end seam 116 (FIGS. 1, 3 and 4) whichsurmounts the outer closure panels 56, 57 and which permanently securesall of the top end closure panels together in a leakproof closure.

The forming of the top end closure 17 is started by hinging the centraltabs 77, 95 into a horizontal relation as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 andthen pressing inwardly against the trapezoidal sections 71, 88 of therespective inner closure panels 59, 58 as shown in FIG. 6. This pressingaction hinges the trapezoidal sections 71, 88 along their respectivecrease lines.64, 63 and simultaneously hinges the adjacent triangularportions 72,73, 91,

92 along their diagonal crease lines 66, 67, 83, 84. As a result of thispressing action, the triangular portions 72, 73, 91, 92 are drawninwardly and they in turn draw the outer closure panels 56, 57downwardly over the inner closure panels until the triangular portionsare face-toface with and engaged against the inner faces of the outerclosure panels as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6. In this posiclosure panelsinto position under and against the short tab 111 of the outer closurepanel '56 and similarly swings the short tabs 75, 94 of the innerclosure panels into position under and against the long tab 112 of theouter closure panel 57 as best shown in FIG. 6.

With the outer closure panels 56, 57 in the above mentioned angularlydisposed relation, the short tab 111 is hinged downwardly, along itscrease line 106, as shown in FIG. 6. This positions the long tabs 76, 93in a horizontal relation and in contact with the central tabs 77, 95respectively as shown in FIG. 6. The tabs 77, 76, 111 and the tabs 95,93, 111 are permanently secured together by a suitable adhesive.

In a similar manner the long tab 112 is hinged downwardly along itscrease line 106 into a position overlapping the short tab 111. Thisaction positions the short tabs 75, 94 of the respective inner closurepanels 59, 58 into overlapping engagement with the long tabs 76, 93 ofthe inner closure panels and in abutting relation to the short tab 111of the outer closure panel 56 as shown in FIG. 3. This also positionsthe long tab 112 of the outer closure panel 57 on top of the short tab111 as shown in FIG. 3. The short tabs 75, 94 are permanently bonded tothe long tabs 76, 93 and the long tab 112 by a suitable adhesive, andthe long tab 112 is also permanently bonded to the short tab 111. It isthis overlapping, abutting and bonding together of the various tabs thatproduces the permanent lap and butt end seam 116 which closes and sealsthe filled container.

The conveniently available spout thus comprises an interconnecting spoutpanel extending between a pair of separated and spaced opposing spoutpanels. The interconnecting panel includes the spout center portion ortrapezoidal section 88 and a pair of spaced spout portions or triangularwing portions 91, 92, which are movable relative to each other and tothe center portion. One wing portion is on each of the opposite ends ofthe center portion. The wing portions are maintained in spacedrelationship separated from each other by the center portion and eachwing portion has a predetermined and preset surface area. Each of thepair of opposing spout panels includes its respective of the spoutportions 108 and 108a which are next adjacent to and hinged with thenearest of the wing portions '91, 92, for relative movementtherebetween. As previously stated at least one of the spout portions108 and 108a have a surface area less than the preset surface area ofthe spout or triangular wing portions 91, 92.

The individual tab portions are connected to their respective spoutportions by the tear line means including an elongated portion 87 of thetear line fracturably connecting the tab portion 95 to the spout centerportion 88 along at least a major part of the distance between the pairof separated spout or wing portions 91, 92.

The previously mentioned bonding together of the tab portions sealinglyand reinforcingly interconnects them and causes them to restrain or holdthe spout portions against relative movement as well as to jointly holdthe next adjacent wing portions 90-108 and 92-108a at each end of thecenter portion 88 in overlapping folded relationship and separated andspaced from the wing portions at the opposite end of the center portionas illustrated in FIG. 1. At this time each tab portion lies in a planeat angle to the plane of the spout portion to which it is attached bythe tear line. This holding of the wing portions to prevent relativemovement is maintained so long as the tear line means is intact and solong as the tab portions are connected to the wing portions and centerportion by the tear line thereby maintaining the container in sealedcondition and maintaining the spout in closed position.

When it is desired to open the container and move the readily availablespout to its open position the tear line including tear line portions85, 86, and 87 is torn to sep arate and thereby sever the tab portions111, 93, 94, 95, and 112 from the respective spout wing portions 108,91, 92, and 108a and spout center portion 88. After the tear line hasbeen torn, the remainder of the container including the side walls,panel portions 107, 107a, and the flat seam 116 hold the next adjacentspout wing portions 91 and 108 at each end of the center portion 88separated and spaced from the next adjacent spout wing portions 92 and108a at the opposite end of the center portion 88. In addition, thecontainer is operative to allow the spout portions 108, 91, 88, 92, and108a to move relative to each other as they are moved from the spoutclose to the spout open positions and as the wing portions are movedfrom overlapping folded relationship (FIG. 7) to an extendednon-overlapping non-folded relationship (FIG. 8).

It is noted that while the spout is in the closed or open position thescore lines and 105a, which are straight lines of different lengths arenot aligned in a common plane. In addition, the score lines 105 and 105aare aligned in planes different from the plane of one or both of thescore lines 83 and 84. Also the score lines 83, 84, 105 and 105a alwaysare disposed relative to each other such that at least one of the scorelines is in a plane different from that plane in which at least oneother of the score lines is in when the spout is anywhere between theopen and closed positions.

FIG. 8 further illustrates the wing portions 91108 and 92-108apositioned in their locked position wherein they lock the spout in theopen position and thus assist in regulating the size of the mouth of thespout and prevent the spout from accidentally reclosing. In this lockedposition the opposing wing portions on the opposite ends of the centerportion 88 are moved inwardly towards each other, so that the innerwings 91 and 92 cannot fold under the outer Wing portions 108 and 108arespectively by movement of the center portion 88 inwardly. it is thusseen that this structure has provided a readily accessible spout whichhas spout portions of dilferent areas at least partly bounded by unlikescore lines and operative to assist in moving the spout to the openposition without exerting any unwanted or non-regulated deforming orcrushing forces on the spout side portions at locations other than atpreset score lines, and thereafter operative to lock the spout in theregulated open position so that it will not close while the contents arebeing poured from the container.

In the modifications FIGURES 9 thru 16 those parts identical to theequivalent part in FIG. 2 are indicated by the same reference characteras used in FIG. 2 and those parts similar to but different from thecorresponding part in FIG. 2 are indicated by reference characters whichare a multiple in even hundreds of that used in FIG. 2. Also only thatpart of a complete blank which has features different from those of FIG.2 is illustrated, it being understood that the remainder of the blankmay be provided in accordance with FIG. 2.

In the modification illustrated in the partial plan view of the blank inFIG. 9, outer panels are provided with score lines 205 and 205a definingsections 207 and 207a and forming at least a part of the periphery ofthe spout portions or wing portions 208 and 208a respectively. In thismodification the area of the spout portion 208 is less than the area ofany one of the spout portions 91, 92, and 208a and the spout portion208a is larger in surface area than either of the spout portions 91 or92. The score lines 205 and 205a are straight lines of differentlengths. The respective tear lines for these spout portions are also ofdifferent lengths. The tear line portion for the spout portion 208 isshorter than the tear line portion for the spout portion 91. The tearline length for spout portions 91 and 92 are equal and the tear linelength for the spout portion 208a is greater than the tear line lengthfor the spout portion 92 and thus also greater than the length of thetear line portion for spout portion 208.

A container assembled from the blank of FIG. 9 arranges the score lines205 and 205a in difierent planes at least one of which is dilferent fromthe common plane of the score lines 8384 while the spout is in its openintermediate and closed positions. Each of the ditferent planes of thescore lines 205 and 205a coincides with the plane of the score lines 83-84 at one location in the path of movement of the spout portions betweenthe spout closed and spout open positions.

In FIG. the score lines 305 and 305a form at least a part of theperiphery of and thereby set 011 spout portions 308 and 308a ofsubstantially the same size, shape and area and portions 307 and 307a ofsubstantially the same size, shape, and area. In this modification eachof the spout portions 308 and 308a is smaller in area than its nextadjacent spout portion 91 and 92 respectively. The blank folds into acontainer operable substantially the same as that described andillustrated in connection with FIGURES 1 thru 8 of the drawings.

The tear line length for spout portions 91 and 92 are equal and the tearline length for the spout portions 308 and 308a are substantially equal.In addition, the tear line length for the spout portions 91 and 92 areeach greater than the tear line length for their next adjacent of thespout portions 308 and 308a.

A container assembled from the blank of FIG. 10 arranges the score lines305 and 305a in a common plane which is different from the common planeof the score lines 8384 while the spout is in its open and closedpositions. The plane of the score lines 5-20'5a coincides .with theplane of the score lines 8384 at one location in the path of movement ofthe spout portions between the spout closed and spout open positions.

In the modification of FIG. 11 score lines 405 and 405:: define similarpanel sections 407 and 407a and similar spout portions 408 and408a byforming at least a part of the periphery of the spout portions which areof substantially the same surface area, size and shape and are eachsmaller than their next adjacent of the inner wing portions 91, 92.

The score lines 405 and 405a intersect the vertical lines 26 and 27respectively at points above the intersection of line 63 with the lines26 and 27. The spout portions 408 and 408a have surface area less thanthe surface area of their next adjacent spout portions 91, 92.

The tear line length for the spout portions 91 and 92 are equal and thetear line length for the spout portions 408 and 408a are equal. The tearline length of spout portion 408 is less than the tear line length ofspout portion 91.

A container assembled from the blank of FIG. 11 arranges the score lines405 and 405a in a common plane which is different from the common planeof the score lines 83-84 while the spout is in its open intermediate andclosed positions.

In the modification of FIG. 12 score lines 505 and 505a define similarpanel sections 507 and 507a and similar spout portions 508 and 508a byforming at least a part of the periphery of the spout portions 508 and508a which are of substantially the same surface area, size and shapeand are each smaller than their next adjacent of the inner Wing portions91, 92.

The score lines 505 and 505a intersect the vertical lines 26 and 27respectively at points above the inner section of line 63 with the lines26 and 27. The spout portions 508 and 508a each have a surface area lessthan the surface area of their next adjacent spout portions 91, 92. Thelength of the tear line along spout portion 508 is the same as thatalong spout portion 91 and the length of the tear line along spoutportion 508a is the same as that along the spout portion 92.

v A container assembled from the blank of FIG. 12 arranges the scorelines 505 and 505a in a common plane which is difierent from the commonplane of the score lines 8384 While the spout is in its openintermediate and closed positions.

In FIG. 13 curved score lines 605 and 605a form at 8 least a part of theperiphery of and thereby set off spout portions 608 and 608a ofsubstantially the same size, shape and area and portions 607 and 607a ofsubstantially the same size, shape and area. In this modification eachof the spout portions-608 and 608:: is smaller in area than its nextadjacent spout portion 91- 92 respectively.

The tear line length for spout portions 91and 92 are equal and the tearline length for the spout portions 608 and 608a are equal. The tear linelength of spout portion 608 is greater than the tear line length of thespout portion91. In those instances wherein at least one of the curvedscore line is an arc of a circle the arcuate curved score line and itscenter of revolution is on opposite sides of a straight line drawnbetween the point of intersection of the curved score line and the line106 and the point of intersection of the curved score line and the line63.

A container assembled from the blank of FIG. 13 arranges the score lines605 and 605a so as not to be in the common plane of the score lines 8384 while the spout is in its open and closed positions.

In FIG. 14 the double-curved score lines 705 and 705a form at least apart of the periphery of and thereby set off spout portions 708 and 708aof substantially the same size, shape and area and portions 707 and 707aof substantially the same size, shape, and area. In this modificationeach of the spout portions 708 and 708a is smaller in area than its nextadjacent spout portion 91-92 respectively.

The tear line length for spout portions 91 and 92 are equal and the tearline length for the spout portions 708 and 708a are equal. The tear linelength of spout portion 708 is less than the tear line length of thespout portion 91. One portion of at least one of the score lines 705 and705a and one another portion of the same score line are on the oppositesides of a straight line drawn between the point of intersection of thatcurved score line and the line 106 and the point of intersection of thatcurved score line and the line 63.

A container assembled from the blank of FIG. 14 arranges the curvedscore lines 705 and 705a so as not to be in the common plane of thescore lines 8384 while the spout is in its open and closed positions.

In FIG. 15 the score lines 805 and 805a form at least a part of theperiphery of and thereby set ofl? spout portions 808 and 808:: ofsubstantially the same size, shape and area and portions 807 and 807a ofsubstantially the same size, shape, and area. Each of the score lines ismade of a series of short straight lines arranged end to end. In thismodification each of the spout portions 808 and 808a is smaller in areathan its neXt adjacent spout portion 9192 respectively.

The tear line length for spout portions 91 and 92 are equal and the tearline length for the spout portions 808 and 80811 are equal. The tearline length of spout portion 808 is greater than the tear line length ofthe spout portion 91. One straight line portion of at least one scoreline and another straight line portion of the same score line are on theopposite sides of a straight line drawn between the point ofintersection of the curved score line and the line 106 and the point ofintersection of the curved score line and the line 63.

A container assembled from the blank of FIG. 5 arranges the score lines805 and 805a so as not to be entirely in the common plane of the scorelines 8384 while the spout is in its open and closed positions.

In FIG. 16 inverted modified U-shaped score lines 905 and 905a form atleast a part of the periphery of and thereby set off spout portions 908and 908a of substantially the same size, shape and area and portions 907and 907:: of substantially the same size, shape and area. In thismodification each of the spout portions 908 and 908a is smaller in areathan its next adjacent spout portion 91-92 respectively.

The tear line length for spout portions 91 and 92 a equal and the tearline length for the spout portions 908 and 908a are equal. The tear linelength of spout portion is greater than the tear line length of thespout p rtion 91. One portion of at least one of the score lines andanother portion of that same score line are on t opposite sides of astraight line drawn between the point of intersection of the curvedscore line and the line 106 and the point of intersection of the curvedscore line and the line 63.

A container assembled from the blank of FIG. 16 arranges the score lines905 and 905a so as not to be in the common plane of the score lines83-84 While the spout is in its open and closed positions.

Each of the above described unitary blanks for respective containersthus provides a container which includes a conveniently available spoutwhich may be opened and closed. In each container the spout has unlikespout portions on opposite sides thereof which are moved relative toeach other or manipulated to move the spout between its closed and openpositions. When the spout is in the open position the side portions arefurther operable in a locking position wherein they look the spout inthe open position and thereby assist in regu lating the size of themouth of the spout and prevent it from accidentally reclosing. Eachblank was provided with prescored lines operative to assist the foldingof the blank into a container and assist the spout portions in carryingout the advantages and features which formed the objects of theinvention and set forth the novel differences over the prior containers.It is understood that the prescored lines forming a part of theperiphery of the spout portions on the opposite sides of the spout maybe identical to or different from each other and may be any combinationof those score lines 105-105a, 205205a, '305--3G5a, 405405a, 505-505a,605-605a, 705 705a, 805805a and 905-905a which have been specificallyillustrated for purposes of description in the drawings. Furthercombinations were not illustrated, for example, combination using onecurved and straight line in the same blank to eliminate undulymultiplicity in the descriptions and application.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantageswill be understood from the foregoing description and it will beapparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction, andarrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the formhereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

1. A container dispensing spout adapted to be moved between closed anddispensing positions and comprising a pair of separated and spacedopposing spout panels and an interconnecting spout panel extendingtherebetween and connected to each of said spaced opposing spout panels,said interconnecting panel including a planar spout center portion and apair of spaced spout first portions movable relative to each other andto the center portion with one on each of the opposite ends of andmaintained in spaced relationship separated from each other by saidcenter portion, each said first portion having a preset surface area,each of said pair of opposing spout panels including a spout secondportion next adjacent to and hinged with the nearest of said spout firstportions for relative movement therebetween, at least one of said secondportions having a surface area difierent from said preset surface areaof said first portion, a plurality of individual tab portions includinga planar tab portion, each of said tab portions being disposed in planesintersecting the planes of all of said spout panels and disposedentirely between said opposing spout panels, tear line means connectingeach individual tab portion to its respective of said spout portions andincluding an elongated generally straight tear line portion of said tearline means longitudinally spanning said spout center portion andfracturably connecting said planar tab portion to said spout centerportion, means sealingly and reinforcingly interconnecting said tabportions and causing said tab portions to restrain all of said portionsagainst relative movement and to jointly hold the next adjacent firstand second portions at each end of said center portion in overlappingfolded relationship and separated and spaced from the first and secondportions at the opposite end of said center portion while said tear linemeans is intact, and additional means interconnecting said tab portionsand said spout panels and operative when said tear line means has beentorn and said tab portions are thereby severed from the spout portionsto hold the next adjacent first and second spout portions at each end ofsaid center portion separated and spaced. from the next adjacent firstand second spout portions at the opposite end of said center portion andoperative to allow the spout portions to move relative to each other asthey are moved between said overlapping folded relationship in which thespout is in said closed position and an extended non-overlappingunfolded relationship in which the spout is in said dispensing position.

2. The structure as defined in claim 1 additionally including thelimitation of said first and second portions being movable to a lockingposition while they are extended in the non-overlapping unfoldedrelationship to lock the spout in the dispensing position.

3. The structure as defined in claim 1 additionally including thelimitation of the second portions of the opposing panels being ofdissimilar areas.

4. The structure as defined in claim l additionally including thelimitation of the second portions of the opposing panels being the sameareas.

5. The structure as defined in claim 1 additionally including thelimitation of the surface area of the said at least of one of the secondportions being less than the said preset surface area.

6. The structure as defined in claim 1 additionally including thelimitation of the surface area of the said at least of one of the secondportions being greater than the said preset surface area.

7. The structure as defined in claim 1 additionally including scorelines in said panels defining at least a part of the periphery of eachof said spout portions.

8. The structure as defined in claim 7 additionally including thelimitation of at least one of the score lines located in said opposingpanels being a straight line.

9. The structure as defined in claim 8 additionally including thelimitation of the corresponding score lines located in said opposingpanels being lines of different lengths.

10. The structure as defined in claim 7 additionally including thelimitation of the score lines located in said opposing panels beingstraight lines.

11. The structure as defined in claim 7 additionally including thelimitation of the corresponding score lines located in said opposingpanels being lines of different lengths.

12. The structure as defined in claim 7 additionally including thelimitation of the score lines located in said opposing panels being freefrom alignment in a common plane.

13. The structure as defined in claim 7 additionally including thelimitation of each of the score lines located in said opposing panelsbeing free from alignment in a plane common with a plane containing anyother score line in any other panel while said first and second portionsare in overlapping relationship.

14. The structure as defined in claim 13 additionally including thelimitation of the corresponding score lines located in said opposingpanels being lines of diiferent lengths.

15. The structure as defined in claim 7 additionally including thelimitation of at least one of the score lines located in said opposingpanels being a curved line.

16. The structure as defined in claim 15 additionally including thelimitation of the score lines located in said opposing panels being freefrom alignment in 'a common plane.

17. The structure as defined in claim 15 additionally including thelimitation of said first and second portions being movable to a lockingposition while they are extended in the non-overlapping unfoldedrelationship to lock the spout in the dispensing condition.

18. The structure as defined in claim 15 additionally 1?. including thelimitation of the curved linedefining the arc of a circle.

19. The structure as'defined in claim 7 additionally including thelimitation ofthe score lines located in said opposing panelsbeinglcurved lines.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,157,462 Van Wormer Oct. 19, 1915 2,300,703 Ray Nov. 3, 1942 2,321,139Gruger June 8, 1943 2,750,095 Alden June 12, 1956

